Veteran 49ers DBs Verrett and Ryan are praised by Wilks for their leadership.
Throughout the 2023 NFL season, the 49ers’ secondary has changed, and two in-season signings are expected to play a significant part in San Francisco’s defense as the team pushes for the postseason.
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks complimented veteran safety Logan Ryan, who signed with the team earlier this month after a flurry of injuries on the 49ers’ defense, during his remarks to media on Thursday.
“Logan has performed admirably,” Wilks informed the media. “I was thrilled to have him.” I eventually came to the conclusion that he would be a fantastic stand-in for us. I asked Fred [Warner] about this after the game yesterday, mentioning his leadership there, and I asked him, “Did you feel and see Logan?” “Yes, man, he talks,” he says. And that’s a very positive indicator of safety. His ability to communicate, especially with a new person in the room, and his willingness to step up and take those actions. Thus, I enjoy having him around. I call it “skin on the wall” for him. He’s been in the game for a while and has participated in a few Super Bowls, so he is aware of the significance of the season we are in.”
Regarding Ryan’s eagerness to participate on special teams, Wilks disclosed that the two-time Super Bowl winner is a perfect fit for the 49ers’ altruistic ethos.
“A member of the team. Dedicated,” Wilks said. “Then, comprehending it is also expected in this situation. We constantly discuss several aspects of a single body of work. There is no one greater than the cause itself. That’s what he’s done, guys come in and they learn how we do things. So, once more, I think highly of him both personally and as a player.”
In the Baltimore Ravens’ loss on Monday, cornerback Jason Verrett spent all five of his snaps in the slot. Wilks gave an explanation for his decision to select the veteran over a few younger players who have been with the squad all season, raising the possibility that Verrett will see more playing time as the year goes on.
“With all of our guys, consistency,” Wilks declared. Regarding him being up or down, a lot also depends on special teams. In order for Verrett to attempt to get back into the swing of things and see if he can be one of those individuals who I believe can assist us as we go closer to the playoffs, we wanted to give him a chance to get his feet wet.”
Wilks further stated that Verrett’s small sample size during Monday’s game against the Ravens gave him hope.
Wilks clarified, “I thought he worked within the defense.” He had good technique, in my opinion. In my opinion, on that specific play, we should have taught chest to chest because, in the end zone, you cannot turn your back on the receiver. He did just that, and in the instant the ball was thrown, he lost the receiver. Thus, it’s unquestionably something that can be corrected and trained.”
Wilks said that Verrett’s future position as a slot corner is what he sees for the Pro Bowl cornerback when questioned about it.
“Yes, right now,” Wilks replied. “You mentioned [Samuel Womack], and I feel quite confidence in Luter just for that reason alone. We seem to have a few players that we can somewhat stack, in my opinion. If something goes wrong with [Deommodore Lenoir] and then [Isaiah] Oliver—the third guy—that’s always the ability, in my opinion.”
Although the front four is usually associated with San Francisco’s defensive identity, the 49ers’ secondary has produced some impressive work this season. The 49ers’ ball-hawking secondary leads the NFL in interceptions with 19, and they are fifth in the NFL in terms of net passing yards allowed per attempt.
In Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders offense, which leads the NFL with 580 passing attempts this season, San Francisco’s secondary should see a lot of action.
The 49ers’ offensive line suffered multiple injuries during their game against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas night, losing Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, and Jaylon Moore.
Who would have started if one more offensive lineman had been hurt? San Francisco had to deploy every available offensive lineman on Monday due to a flurry of injuries.
“Tight end. Chris Foerster, the offensive line coach, told reporters on Thursday that Charlie [Woerner] would have to go in. “We’d have to kind of makeshift that.”
It wouldn’t have been the first time Foerster and Williams saw a tight end deployed on the offensive line in a last-minute game for their side if Woerner had entered.
“And it’s kind of funny, I was telling Trent [Williams] this morning because they’ve only recently gone to eight offensive linemen,” Foerster said. “We usually had eight up when I first started playing in the NFL, but eventually special teams and other things took over. Then we went to seven, and everything suddenly changed to seven.
“You played offensive line for seven years, and only a handful of times—probably three times over the span of twenty-five to thirty years—did you have to switch positions. I believe that was our final game in 2014, my final game with Trent in Washington. I believe that for a few series, tight end Logan Paulson played left tackle for us since we were losing, we had lost Trent, Tom Compton, and another player. Logan had to be added for the final series or two as a result.
“Well, this one has eight linemen, so if you lose three, four, and one more, you’d have to replace them with a tight end. It’s difficult, but everyone is back at work. I’m not sure about everyone’s injury status for this week, but I believe we have a good number of individuals that are ready to retaliate.”
Spencer Burford, a guard by trade, moved to right tackle, and starting right tackle Colten McKivitz was asked to move to left tackle. Foerster clarified that one benefit of the offensive line depth test was that it gave players a real-world example of the coaching points about being prepared for anything.
“But I’m glad it happened because what it does is no matter how many times I tell them, guys, you have to be ready because this can happen, we’re repping you, you are the fourth tackle in the game, you’re the third center in the game, you’re the fifth guard,” Foerster stated. They give you the ‘Coach, it’s never going to happen’ look. You must be prepared for it when it occurs since it doesn’t happen until it does.
Although Banks and Moore did not attend 49ers practice on Thursday, Williams played a limited role, raising hopes that the All-Pro would be ready for the team’s Sunday game against the Washington Commanders.
